PRODIGY - evidence based information for primary care

PRODIGY is a reliable source of evidence-based information and practical 'know how' about the common conditions managed in primary and first-contact care.

It is built on the Clinical Knowledge Summaries that used to be on the NHS Evidence site and uses the same format. The Prodigy service is updated regularly (there have been over 140 updates since 31 March 2011). PRODIGY is available at: http://www.prodigy.clarity.co.uk/ and is currently free to access.

NICE pathways - an easy way to navigate NICE guidance

NICE Pathways is an online tool for health and social care professionals that brings together all related NICE guidance and associated products in a set of interactive topic-based diagrams. The diagrams provide an easier and more intuitive way to find, access and use NICE guidance, enabling users to see everything NICE has published on a particular topic.

 

NICE Depression Pathway

 

Each pathway includes all relevant NICE guidance, including clinical guidelines, public health guidance, technology appraisals, interventional procedures, medical technology and diagnostics guidance, and quality standards, and accompanying tools produced by NICE to support implementation.

 

Currently 17 of NICE's guidelines are covered by the pathway site, but NICE plans to add many more by the end of the year, and ultimately, to have a pathway map for every guideline.

New self-care website for the NHS

The new Self Care Forum web site has been launched for NHS staff and patient groups. It's aim is to encourage people to think about self care in a broad sense and provides tools and information to encourage people to look after themselves.

The site contains resources to aimed at general practice to help with the implementation of self care initiatives. There are case studies, reports, research, fact sheets and practical tips. NHS staff can also upload their own case studies.

There will also be a Self Care Week 14th - 20th of November used to publicise local initiatives

New Books On Approval

Help us to buy the books that you want to read. We have a new selection of approval books in stock at both the Berrywood and Richmond Libraries. 

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you can spare the time, please come and have a look at the titles we have and recommend any that you think the library should purchase.  This is your opportunity to ensure that the book stock in the libraries reflects your needs.

We would also be happy to receive any other recommendations for purchases for library stock. If you want to see what we have added to stock recently, we produce monthly new books lists of our latest titles.

CPD On-line - interactive training for mental health trainees

The Royal College of Psychiatrist's CPD On-Line service has been purchased regionally and can be made available to junior doctors undertaking training in psychiatry.

Eligible trainees should have already received an email regarding access to the resource, but contact the Library Service is you haven't and we will pass your details on to the regional Athens administrator.

National Transplant Week 4th - 10th of July

This week is National Transplant Week - and it starts with a reminder that three people die each day because there are not enough donated organs available.

The NTW site has lots of information about this years campaign - "What are you waiting for?", organ donation and transplants, as well as events that are happening this week and a chance to contribute to their national survey

As part of raising awareness, NHS Employers have also produced a briefing on organ donation.

Local Health Profiles 2011 for Northamptonshire now available

The Public Health Observatories of England have published the Local Health Profiles for Northamptonshire. The profiles draw together information which includes:

• An ‘At a glance’ summary description of people’s health in the area, which includes information on locally identified priorities
• Maps and charts showing how the health of the area compares to the national view and information on health inequalities within the local authority
• Charts presenting changes in death rates over a 10 year period, compared to rates for England
• A 'spine chart' health summary showing the difference in health between the area and the regional / England average

The Health Profiles website also provides interactive maps and charts for users to create their own views of the data, and links to further supporting and relevant products.

You can find all of the profiles for Northamptonshire on the Association of Public Health Observatories site.

Alternatively you can find the profiles for individual areas here:

• Corby
• Daventry
• East Northamptonshire
• Kettering
• Northampton
• Northamptonshire
• South Northamptonshire
• Wellingborough     
  

NICE launches new guideline for hip fractures

NICE have launched a new guideline for the treatment of hip fractures that calls for surgery to take place no later than the day after hospital admission. The guideline also states that hospitals should deliver a co-ordinated Hip Fracture Programme to help faster recovery.

You can find the full guideline and all associated documentation on the NICE web site.

Places still available for July training courses

There are still some places available on the Library Service training courses in July. Training is free to NHS staff and run at a variety of locations around the county. The links below will give you more information.

• An Introduction to Critical Appraisal

• Evidence for Health

• Literature Searching Using the Databases

Our Basic Introduction to Health on the World Wide Web (a course for people who want to know more about the basics of using the Internet) is now available on demand.

And if you can't make our courses, we can always come to you. The Library Service can deliver our standard courses, more tailored workshops or shorter, specialised sessions at any location around the county. All we need is an NHS network connection and a suitable venue. Contact us for more information.

RCN launches new sexual health resource

The Royal College of Nursing has launched a new on-line training resource on sexual health. It provides easy-to-understand learning for RCN members to dip into and addresses a wide range of sexual health issues relating to people of all ages and lifestyle choices.

You can find it in the Learning Zone on the RCN web site.

Springer offers free access to research articles on E. coli bacteria

In the light of the current outbreak of E. Coli in Germany, with cases in the UK and beyond, medical publisher Springer have provided temporary free access to over 400 articles on E. Coli for the next 12 weeks (until the 26th of August).
You can find all of the articles on the SpringerLink site.

More information about the outbreak in Germany is also available (in English) on the Robert Koch Institute web site.

Health Promotion Resources has Re-opened at Forest House

The Health Promotion Resources Service has now completed the move out of Westgate House in Northampton and is open for business at it's new home in Forest House, Telford Way Industrial Estate, Kettering (near the General Hospital, for directions click here).

Our full contact details are:

Health Promotion Resources,
Forest House,
2 Riley Road, 
Telford Way Industrial Estate,
Kettering NN16 8NN
Tel: 01536 527403
Fax: 01604 685465 (unchanged)
Email: hpresources@northants.nhs.uk

We look forward to seeing our customers old and new, at our new premises.